June 17, 2012

Father’s Day. Today, of course, is Father’s Day. What a great gift fatherhood is, one of the original gifts God gave to mankind, that with marriage and motherhood form the foundation of all human society and true civilization. Given that fact, it is amazing and frightening that nowadays instead of helping and encouraging men to be good fathers many people are trying to redefine and demean fatherhood, just as they are trying to redefine so many other aspects of normal and natural human life and behavior. From efforts to feminize men, to downplaying or denying the necessity of fathers, to unnaturally changing the way men become fathers, to attempting to alter the responsibilities and rights of fathers—it is a tough time to be a father, that is, to be a good and true father. And it will get even tougher in the days ahead. So let us honor our fathers today, let us show them our love, and let us pray for them. And let us continue, with God’s grace, to work for a society that protects and honors the fundamental institution of fatherhood.

Speaking of Fathers: Priest Changes. As I announced at Mass last Sunday, effective June 27 there will be three changes in the priests serving at St. Raymond’s.

First, Fr. Mark Pilon, after 3 years as our Parochial Vicar, will be taking medical retirement. Father has dedicated 37 years of priestly service to the Diocese of Arlington, working as a parish priest and pastor, high school teacher and chaplain, and seminary professor. He will be sorely missed, especially for his wonderful homilies and Lenten and Advent series talks. I will particularly miss his sound counsel and profound insights on parish life, modern culture and theology. A farewell party is being organized for July 1, after the 12:15 Mass. Stay tuned for more details. (Note, Fr. Pilon officially retires on June 27, but has graciously agreed to stay with us until July 7.)

Second, unfortunately, the Bishop has informed me that he has no priest to send us to replace Fr. Pilon as Parochial Vicar. This year we ordained 4 new priests, but we lost 7 parish priests to retirement and other assignments. Which reminds us that we need to pray for vocations! I’m convinced we have scores of priestly vocations in our parish— pray that our young men will have the faith and courage to discern and answer the call. And support—but don’t pressure—them in their efforts.

The loss of a vicar may mean we have to make some adjustments in our schedule. I hope not, but we’ll have to see. In addition, this may also require some alterations in my activities in the parish, since my workload will be increasing: our resident priests are a big help, but some things only a vicar can assist with.

Finally, I am very happy, and honored, to announce that Bishop Loverde has decided to promote me from Parochial Administrator to Pastor of St. Raymond’s. While I assume my new office on June 27, but there will also be an official “installation” at a Sunday Mass sometime next month. Again, stay tuned for more details.

While the practical effects of this change may seem minimal at first glance, there are some important differences between an administrator and pastor. The key difference is that a pastor has a right to “stability.” Simply put, while a bishop can transfer an administrator at any time he pleases, the pastor has a right to remain in his parish (sometimes limited to a set term of years) unless there is a serious reason to remove him or transfer him. Even so, he has a right to appeal a removal or to decline a transfer(subject to certain procedural norms). The idea behind this is that the pastor should never be considered a “hireling” but a “shepherd,” not a “functionary” but a “father.” Both the parish and the pastor then, have a right to a long-term stable paternal/filial relationship. But rights also imply duties, so that the enhanced rights and privileges of a pastor, most notably “stability,” imply an added depth and gravity to his duties to his flock. This, of course, is a two way street, and implies something about the duties of his flock toward their pastor. In essence, it is all about building the true Christian communion of life and love that should exist in a parish.
Please pray for Fr. Pilon as he begins this new phase of his priesthood. And pray for Fr. Joby, Fr. Lovell, and Fr. Daly, as they continue to assist me so ably in the care of my flock, my children. And please pray for me—sometimes the enormity of the responsibility to God and to you seems overwhelming; pray that God grant me the grace to love and serve you as I should, and to trust in Him at all times. And finally, again, PRAY FOR VOCATIONS—from this parish, and from your families!

Corpus Christi Procession. What a beautiful sight to see so many of you join in last Sunday’s procession. Once again, this year’s crowd was larger than last year’s—I’m guessing over 200 folks of all ages and backgrounds joined in. Thanks so much to all of you, but especially those who took a hand in organizing things: the parish staff, the choir, the altar boys, the sacristans, the flower ladies, the Knights of Columbus, and so many other volunteers—forgive me for not naming you all. Let me give particular recognition to Patrick O’Brien, the overall coordinator. God bless you all. For those who missed the procession—you missed a great event. I hope you can join us next year.

This week: “Fortnight for Freedom.” This Thursday we begin the “Fortnight for Freedom” to pray for the protection of Religious Liberty. The Fortnight will run from June 21 (the vigil of the Feast of St. Thomas More) to July 4 (Independence Day). Please see the two inserts in this bulletin (“Summary of Activities” and “Liturgical Schedule” on one and “Protecting Consciences” on the other) for full details of the liturgical and private activities of this fortnight. With all my heart, I strongly encourage all of you to participate and raise up “a great hymn of prayer for our country.”

Summer Music. As in prior years the choir is now on hiatus for the rest of the summer (with a few exceptions). I want to thank all the choir members, especially Elisabeth Turco, our Music Director, for all their beautiful and hard work. Also, remember that, as was the case last year, there will be no cantor at the 5pm Sunday Masses during the summer.